Think I've Decided on my Dream Bike: Sprockets forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

Subscribe get a full year for only $23.95 Sample Free Test Drive—no strings attached

Nov. 9, 2011 3:19 p.m. PHeller Dork

I previously wanted a motard of some sort, something like the Ducati Hypermotard or maybe something like Roland Sands Desmo-RR Tracker.

Unfortunately it'd be like being given a Enzo. It would be awesome until something went wrong...then I still couldn't afford it.

Recently I've had a few conversations with Richard Pollock. He's the guy that built this: and this:

I've decided that although a Desmo based street tracker would be wild...I wouldn't have the foggiest if I needed to fix it.

Instead, I'd want race tech surrounding my old simple XS650 engine. Spares are easy to find. I know how to fix it.
Nov. 9, 2011 3:27 p.m. MG_Bryan Reader

Pollock builds absolutely gorgeous machines, and will seemingly do anything for you as long as you keep writing him good checks - I read a post of his on The Kneeslider about his experiences with titanium to meet a customer's weight target, and it impressed that regardless of how difficult your expectations are, he seems to be willing to go to any extreme to make the product you want.
Nov. 9, 2011 3:39 p.m. stroker HalfDork

Is that top picture what I think it is? A Kaw W650 tracker?

XS650 street trackers RTFW. I'd make your bike stone stock to start with then upgrade as necessary. You'll either build a paint shaker or something more powerful than is fun to ride for any distance.
Nov. 9, 2011 3:44 p.m. MG_Bryan Reader

stroker wrote:

Is that top picture what I think it is? A Kaw W650 tracker?

XS650 street trackers RTFW. I'd make your bike stone stock to start with then upgrade as necessary. You'll either build a paint shaker or something more powerful than is fun to ride for any distance.

Top picture is Triumph based, assuming we see the same top picture. http://www.streetmaster.net/streetmaster.html

Pollock's website - http://mulemotorcycles.net/index.html
Nov. 9, 2011 10:28 p.m. alex SuperDork

Wow, those are some impressive builds. Really dig his style.
Nov. 10, 2011 7:56 a.m. Curmudgeon SuperDork

This is one of his bikes, it's the one that gave me the 'push' I needed to get mine done (and no I don't dare compare my bike to his). There is an IMMENSE amount of modification to this bike; check out the differences between my (fairly stock) bike and his: the frame front downtube, the way the original engine 'cradle' tubes have been done away with, (the engine is now a stressed member and there is a LOT of box bracing under the tank), the YZ tank that's been modified to clear the top of the engine, the box section swing arm, the seat mounting loop, the highly modified front forks, I could rattle on for a long time.
Nov. 10, 2011 8:19 a.m. pinchvalve SuperDork

I've seen motard riders at full gallop, and I will simply never possess that level of riding skill. Neat machines though.